Wildlife

This gallery gives an overview of some of the African wildlife photography available on Africa Media Online. Nigel Denis is one of Africa's best wildlife photographers. Please do specific keyword searches to find other African wildlife images not in this selection.

A small owl occuring mainly in bushveld and dryer regions. Feeds mainly on small rodents. When disturbed or frightened, elongates its body, raises the ear tufts and closes the eyes till they form slits. In this way it becomes completely camoflaged as it blends with the colour of branches. They do not build their own nests but take over nests of other birds or breed in naturally occuring hollows in forks of trees. A clutch of 2 to 3 eggs are usually laid.

Occuring throughout Africa where there is suitable mountainious habitat. These large eagles are often seen in pairs, flying and hunting their main prey of 'dassie' or rock hyrax. They usually nest on cliff faces, producing two eggs a few days apart. The older and stronger chick kills the second smaller and weaker chick.They fledge from the nest at about 90 days old.

A common sub-Saharan, large owl. Although they catch a varied diet of insects, small mammals and arthropods, this species thrives on the rats and mice caused by human habitation. In cities such as Johannesburg and Pretoria this owl has taken up residence and become very common. They normally lay 2 to 4 eggs and fiercely protect their chicks when they hatch, chasing any intruder including humans and dogs.

The most threatened eagle species in South Africa due to their habit of eating carrion. Poisoned carcasses put out by farmers as bait for other problem animals are often eaten with fatal consequences. Have declined from 80% of their former range in South Africa, but also occur throughout Africa south of the Sahara. Name derived from French word meaning tight rope walker because of their distinctive 'wobbly' flight caused by their specialised wingshape and unusually short tails, both adaptations for gliding.

The immature Black Eagle only maintains this mottled plumage for the first year. These colourful feathers are gradually replaced over 3 to 4 years with the adult black plumage. Occuring throughout Africa where there is suitable mountainious habitat. These large eagles are often seen in pairs, flying and hunting their main prey of 'dassie' or rock hyrax. They usually nest on cliff faces, producing two eggs a few days apart. The older and stronger chick kills the second smaller and weaker chick.They fledge from the nest at about 90 days old.

Very large eagle whose numbers are rapidly declining due to farmers putting out poisoned carcasses to kill problem animals. These eagles often scavange although perfectly cappable of killing large prey. Found throughout Africa, except for forested areas. Preys on any mammal, bird or insect, often resorting to pirating from other raptors.

Medium sized owl occuring throughout much of Africa's dense forest or bush. Despite its size it preys mainly on insects, but can also catch rodents and small birds.The 1 to 3 eggs are usually laid in a natural hollow or hole in a tree trunk

A small owl occuring mainly in bushveld and dryer regions. Feeds mainly on small rodents. When disturbed or frightened, elongates its body, raises the ear tufts and closes the eyes till they form slits. In this way it becomes completely camoflaged as it blends with the colour of branches. They do not build their own nests but take over nests of other birds or breed in naturally occuring hollows in forks of trees. A clutch of 2 to 3 eggs are usually laid.

The immature Black Eagle only maintains this mottled plumage for the first year. These colourful feathers are gradually replaced over 3 to 4 years with the adult black plumage. Occuring throughout Africa where there is suitable mountainious habitat. These large eagles are often seen in pairs, flying and hunting their main prey of 'dassie' or rock hyrax. They usually nest on cliff faces, producing two eggs a few days apart. The older and stronger chick kills the second smaller and weaker chick.They fledge from the nest at about 90 days old.